BOS to help finance July 4, undecided on block parties

By Mike Berger

The Board of Selectmen has decided to authorize a transfer of up to $17,500 from the NSTAR Mitigation Fund to help finance the cost of next week’s July 4^th celebration. The cost of the holiday festivities is estimated at $30,000, which includes $18,000 for the fireworks display.

Fundraising has been slow in part because of the recent dismissal of Jeff Kaylor as recreation director. Selectmen have since appointed Janet Maguire to the post, but the town was without the services of a full-time recreation director for several months until her appointment in May.

To date, fundraising has brought in just $3,000, although more is expected in the coming weeks. A concession stand at the July 4^th event will also generate some revenue. In addition, Canton Recreation Associates, a nonprofit organization, is disbanding and giving the town $14,786 to be used for various recreation activities, such as the senior holiday party and the summer concert series.

During a discussion about the funding shortage, Selectman Victor Del Vecchio said it was his understanding that the July 4^th festivities and the fall downtown block party would be alternated each year. However, according to Selectman John Connolly, the Recreation Commission decided to plan again for the July 4^th celebration in part because of the success of last year’s event and also because of the high cost (approximately $50,000) and public safety concerns associated with the block party.

Selectmen Chairman Bob Burr said the board will formally consider both events for next year, although the late start to the fundraising for this year’s event will likely factor into the decision. In years past selectmen had budgeted $25,000 for each event, but they have since eliminated the funding due to budget constraints and made the decision last spring to hold only one event per year.

In other recreation news, selectmen recognized the service of Recreation Commissioner Aida Goodrich, who has served the town for 35 years, including 30 with the Recreation Commission.

In other news:

* Selectmen formally signed the purchase and sales agreement with the Knights of Columbus for the K of C building at 500 Pleasant Street, which is being purchased for use as a senior center. Once formally recorded, the building will be turned over to the Building Renovations Committee for renovation plans in coordination with the Council on Aging. Connolly said it could be a couple of months before renovations begin because of the bidding process on building repairs.

* Selectmen formally announced a three-year contract with the firefighters union, Local 1580. Town Administrator Bill Friel said the contract calls for a 2 percent cost of living adjustment for the first two years and the possibility of a COLA in the third year if it is agreed to in another town bargaining unit. This is the second major contract to be settled, and Friel expects all other bargaining units, including the police and AFSCME, to settle with the town by the end of August.

* Selectmen will formally announce a traffic management plan for the Pleasant Street dam repairs at their July 10 meeting. Repairs will begin after July 10.

* Items on the agenda for the July 24 selectmen’s meeting include a meeting with Historical Way residents regarding acceptance of the road as a town way, and a meeting with residents on York Street and Indian Lane regarding traffic safety improvements.

* Selectmen authorized $15,000 from either the NSTAR or Stoughton Mitigation accounts to pay for the paving of Grand Street. Although it was not on the list of roads to be paved this year, Burr said the condition of the road was critical enough to be paved this summer.

* Selectman Avril Elkort announced the impending publication of the Canton Business & Community Guide. Designed to be used as a resource for residents and anyone who wishes to find out more about the town, the guide was put together by town staff and paid for by advertising. It includes sections on business and economic development, recreation programs and facilities, dining and shopping, arts and culture, education, and medical facilities. About 2,500 copies will be distributed to various public locations sometime in July.

* Selectmen will next meet on Tuesday, July 10, at 7 p.m.

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